Concealed hinge for furniture

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a novel hinge, particularly a hinge for concealed arrangement between abutting door sashes, particularly a furniture hinge for furniture doors and the like, the hinge comprising a pair of hinge elements, a pair of connecting rods having first and second opposite ends, first pivot means connecting first ends of the rods to a first of the hinge elements, an arm having first and second ends, second pivot means connecting second ends of the rods to the first arm end, third pivot means connecting the second arm end to the second hinge element, means mounting the second hinge element and arm for relative sliding movement in a direction generally normal to the axis of the third pivot means, and means for selectively adjusting the angular relationship between the arm and the second hinge element. The hinge is locked both as to its angular relationship and its sliding relationship by a single screw which is disposed between the third pivot means and the adjusting means, with the latter also being a screw. In keeping with an embodiment of the invention the arm and the second hinge element are formed as opposed U-shaped members which open in a direction toward each other, and in another embodiment of the invention one of the pair of rods is formed of two portions with one being pivotally mounted immediately its end to the other of the rods.

United States Patent Griinert et al. 1 Feb. 4, 1975 CONCEALED HINGE FOR FURNITURE 75 Inventors: Hellmuth Griinert,Hoffnungstha1; [571 ABSTRACT Theodor Vitt, Porz-Eil, both of This disclosure relates to a novel hinge, particularly a Germany hinge for concealed arrangement between abutting [73] Assignee: Prameta Prazisionsmetall-und g Sashes g ii a furniture for furniture Kunststofierzeuginsse G. Baumann oors and t e 1ke, the hmge compnsmg a pa1r of hmge elements, a pan of connectmg rods having f1rst & Co., Cologne, Germany and second opposlte ends, first p1vot means connect- [22] Filed: Mar. 15, 1974 ing first ends of the rods to a first of the hinge elements, an arm having first and second ends, second [21] Appl' 451561 pivot means connecting second ends of the rods to the first arm end, third pivot means connecting the second [30] Foreign Application Priority Data arm end to the second hinge element, means mounting Mar. 17, 1973 Germany 2313451 the Second hinge element and arm for relative Sliding Feb. 11, 1974 Germany 2406438 movement in a direction generally normal to the axis of the third pivot means, and means for selectively ad- 52 us. 01 16/164, 16/130, 16/131 testing the angular relationship between the arm and [51 1m. (:1 E05d 3/06 the Seeehd hinge element- [58] Field of Search 16/164, 163, 165, 166, The hinge is locked both as to its angular relationship 6/129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 173, 183 and its sliding relationship by a single screw which is i disposed between the third pivot means and the [56] References Cited adjusting means, with the latter also being a screw.

UNITED STATES PATENTS In keeping with an embodiment of the invention the 3,541,633 11/1970 Heinze 16/164 I arm and the second hinge element are formed as 3,562,853 2/1971 Heinze opposed U-shaped members which open in a direction 3,590,420 7/197l Salice toward each other, and in another embodiment of the 3,605,173 9/1971 Lautenschlager 16/163 invention one of the pair of rods is formed of two Primary Examiner-Richard J. Scanlan, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Diller, Brown, Ramik & Wight portions with one being pivotally mounted immediately its end to the other of the rods.

19 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED 41975 3,863,292

SHEET 2 OF 5 FIG. 3,

PATENTED FEB 4 I975 SHEET 3 OF 5 FIG.7

1 CONCEALED HINGE FOR FURNITURE The present invention is directed to a novel hinge adapted for concealed arrangement between abutting door sashes. particularly a furniture hinge for furniture doors and the like.

Concealed hinges which may be generally described as those which are invisibly arranged, are commonly known for abutting door sashes, and generally include a linkage in the form of one or more rods disposed between hinge elements carried by a frame and sash, respectively. The linkage generally includes one rod which can be adjustably connected to the sash hinge mounting element with the adjustability being achieved through the provision of a locking screw. If the screw is released a sliding motion is achieved relative to the frame hinge element and upon relative adjustment the locking screw can be retightened. Such adjustment may also be augmented by serrations between the adjustable rod portions, although such does not permit accurate stepless variable adjustment.

In known adjusting means of hinges of this type, there exist the common disadvantage that the sash and frame are loosely pivotally mounted relative to each other after the locking screw has been released, and this leads to a certain degree of unreliability when the hinges are retightened to achieve a firm set adjusted position between the sash and frame.

In view of the foregoing it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel hinge which includes an adjusting device such that not only may the height and depth relatively speaking of the sash and frame be adjusted, but also the angular relationship therebetween can be variably adjusted and the two hinge elements locked in position at a desired relative position therebetween.

In further accordance with this invention, the latternoted object is attained by mounting an arm for pivoting and sliding motion relative to one of a pair of hinge elements, and providing means for locking the arm relative to the latter hinge element both as to its longitudinal position and its angular relationship thereto.

Preferably, the hinge in its broadest aspect which is constructed in accordance with this invention includes a pair of hinge elements, a pair of connecting rods having first and second opposite ends, first pivot means connecting first ends of the rods to a first of the hinge elements, an arm having first and second ends, second pivot means connecting second ends of the rods to the first arm end, third pivot means connecting the second arm end to the second hinge element, means mounting the second hinge element and arm for relative sliding movement in a direction generally normal to the axis of the third pivot means, and means for selectively adjusting the angular relationship between the arm andthe second hinge element whereby virtually universal adjustment may be achieved between a sash and frame associated with the hinge elements.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel hinge of the type aforesaid wherein means are provided for locking the angular relationship between the arm and the second hinge element as well as for locking the position of relative sliding movement of the arm relative to the second hinge element.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel hinge of the type immediately set forth heretofore wherein the locking means is a single screw for locking both the angular relationship and sliding position of the arm and hinge element, and the lattermentioned locking screw is disposed between the third pivot means and the adjusting means, with the latter being preferably though not necessarily also a screw.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel hinge of the type set forth heretofore wherein the second hinge element includes a housing, a pair of spaced parallel sidewalls in part defining the housing, and the sliding movement mounting means include longitudinally extending grooves in the sidewalls receiving pivot pins of the second arm end.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel hinge of the type heretofore mentioned wherein the second hinge element and arm each include channel sections having open sides in opposed relationship to each other, the second hinge element channel section includes parallel sidewalls, and the sliding move ment mounting means include longitudinally extending grooves in exterior surfaces of the sidewalls receiving pivot pins of the arm channel section.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel hinge of the type immediately heretofore set forth wherein the second hinge element channel section is of an inverted T-shaped cross-sectional configuration, means for locking the channel sections relative to each other, and the locking means include an enlarged head of a bolt received within the larger portion of the T- shaped cross-section and a threaded stem received in a threaded bore of the arm channel section.

In further accordance with another object of this invention another hinge is herein provided with one of the rods thereof being defined by a pair of rod portions pivotally mounted to each other, and one of the rod portions is further pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to the remaining rod.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claimed subject matter, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view through a first hinge constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a pair of hinge elements mounted to a sash and frame and being interconnected by a pair of rods pivotally joined to an arm which in turn is mounted for longitudinal sliding and angular pivotal relationship relative to one of the hinge elements.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view looking downwardly in FIG. 1, and illustrates slots through which are manipulated angular adjusting and locking screws.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of one of the hinge elements, and illustrates the mounting of one rod relative thereto.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a hinge element similar to that of FIG. 2, but illustrates the hinge element formed of two relatively adjustable housing portions.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view looking from rightto-left in FIG. 4 and more clearly illustrates the two housing portions and longitudinal grooves in both thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line VI-Vl of FIG. 5, and more clearly illustrates one of the longitudinal grooves formed in a sidewall of a housing portion.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a hinge constructed in accordance with another embodiment of this invention, and illustrates details of an arm and a hinge element which are generally constructed of a U-shaped configuration as viewed in transverse crosssection.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 and more clearly illustrates the U-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the hinge element and the associated arm. as well as a headed bolt associated therebetween for locking the elements in a desired position of relative adjustment.

FIG. 9 is a prospective view of the hinge element of FIG. 8, and illustrates details thereof, particularly oppositely opening longitudinal grooves to achieve relative sliding motion of the hinge relative to the arm.

FIG. 10 is a prospective view of the arm of the hinge of FIGS. 7 and 8, and illustrates a locking screw, and an adjusting screw, and a pair of trunnions carried thereby.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of another hinge constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates one of the pair of rods being slidably connected to the arm and another of the rods being formed as a pair of rod portions pivotally connected to each other.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the longitudinal axis of the hinge of FIG. 11 normal to the axis of the various pivots thereof, and illustrates the hinge in its open position.

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 through 6 of the drawings in which a novel hinge I (FIG. 1) is illustrated joining a sash 2 to a frame 3 or vice versa. The hinge 1 includes a hinge element 4 and a hinge element 5 mounted by one or more screws 6, 7 to the respective members 2, 3. A pair of rods 8, 9 are mounted by pivoted pins 10, 11, respectively to the hinge element 5 whereas at opposite ends pivot pins 12, 13, respectively connect the rods 8, 9 to an arm 14. The arm 14 is bifurcated at one end (FIG. 2) and its opposite end carries a pivot pin 17 which project laterally from opposite sides thereof into a pair of grooves 16 (FIG. 6) of a housing interior of the hinge element 4.

The arm 14 is also provided with a thrust screw 18 which extends through a tapped bore 19 of the arm 14 and has a lower end which bears against a bottom 15a of the housing or recess 15. An upper end of the screw 18 bears against the underside or under surface 4a of an upper wall (unnumbered) of the housing or hinge element 4. A slit 18a of the screw 18 is visible through an elongated slot 20 (FIG. 2) of the housing 4 and thus may be rotated by means of a screw driver or the like to raise or lower the arm I4 in an angular fashion relative to the pivot pin 17.

A locking screw 21 may project through a slot 22 of the housing 4 (FIG. 2) and the bottom of the screw 21 may be provided with an annular cutting edge 21a by means of which the locking screw 21 can penetrate into the bottom surface 15a of the chamber or recess 15 to enable the radius arm 14 to be locked in a predetermined position of angular adjustment relative to the housing 4 about the pivot pin 17 as well as longitudinal adjustment of the pivot pin 17 relative to the slots 16.

The hinge element 4 may, if desired, be formed of two parts, namely, a base plate 4a (FIGS. 4 and 5) and a housing top part 4b in which the longitudinal grooves 16 are disposed in generally parallel relationship to one another. Moreover, since the arm 14 has sidewalls (unnumbered) the base plate 4a is provided with grooves 23 (FIG. 5) to receive the sides of the arm 14 to permit 5 the arm to pivot within a greater angular range about the pivot pin 17.

The housing portion 412 preferably includes slots 24 (FIG. 4) which extend transversely to the longitudinal recess or chamber 15, and screw fasteners 25 passed therethrough and through openings (unnumbered) in the base plate 4a for fixedly joining the housing 4b and the base plate 40 to each other as well as to a sash or frame.

The construction of the hinge I just described achieves substantially universal adjustment due to the slidable nature of the arm 14 within the grooves 16 by virtue of the pivot pin 17 sliding therein. This permits the sash 2 to be moved toward or away from the frame 3. A modification of the angular position of the sash 2 relative to the frame 3 is also possible by rotating the adjusting means or screw 18 carried by the arm 14 and thereupon locking the same by rotating the locking means or locking screw 21 which binds the arm I4 to the housing 4 and therefore locks both the angular relationship and sliding relationship of the arm 14 relative to the housing 4. It might be pointed out that the screw 18 is at all times confined between the surfaces 4a and 15a and, therefore, any rotation simply changes the angular relationship of the arm 14 relative to the housing 4. It is also to be noted that by constructing the housing 4 from the two portions 4a, 4b, this enables the sash 2 to be additional adjusted in the vertical direction by releasing the screws 25 whereupon the hinge element 5, the radius arm 14 and the housing 4b can be vertically adjusted within predefined limits relative to the base plate 4a as defined by the slots 24. During any such adjustment the angular position of the arm 14 or its position within the recess 5 as determined by the pivot pin 17 within the slots 16 need not be altered. This permits reliable and easy adjustment for at least three different methods of adjusting and readjusting the hinge 1.

In keeping with another embodiment of this invention a hinge la (FIG. 7) is constructed similar to the hinge 1 of FIG. 1 and like components bear identical though primed numerals. The hinge la includes hinge elements 5' and 26 mounted by screws 7, 6 to a frame 3' and a sash 2, respectively. The hinge la includes a pair of rods 8', 9 pivoted at one end at 10' and 11' and at an opposite end at 12', 13, respectively to an arm 14a. The arm 14a is of a generally inverted U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, and in a bight portion thereof (unnumbered) carries a pair of screws 29, whereas in depending sidewalls are carried oppositely directed opposing pivot pins or trunnions 28. The pivot pins 28 are received in slots 27 of a base plate 26 having upstanding walls 26b and a bight portion 260. The base plate 26 has a shallow recess 31 which is elongated in the longitudinal direction and also includes a generally inverted T-shaped slot 32 which receives an enlarged head 29a of the threaded stud 29 in the manner best illustrated in FIG. 8.

In much the same manner as the adjustment of the hinge l, the hinge 1a can be adjusted angularly by rotating the screw 30 such that its end bottoming in the recess 31 will raise or lower the arm 14a. With the screw 29 in its loosened condition, the arm 14a may also be slid left-to-right or right-to-left, as viewed in FIG. 7. As these adjustments are completed the screw 29 is threaded such that its head binds against the underside of the inverted T-shaped groove with the result that the hinge elements 140, 26 and 5' are maintained in adjusted relationship both angularly and longitudinally.

Turning now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, a hinge lb includes a hinge element identical to that of the hinge 1a, namely, the hinge element 26' which is identical to the hinge element 26 and thus has identical reference numerals applied thereto except for being primed. However, as opposed to the hinge la, the hinge lb includes a pair of rods 14b of a one-piece construction and 36, 37 of a two-piece construction. The rod 14b is pivotally secured to the hinge element 5' by a pivot pin 35 whereas the rod 38 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 39 to the hinge element 5. The rods 36, 38 are pivotally secured to each other and the rod 36 is also pivotally secured by a pivot pin 37 intermediate its ends to the rod 14b. A pivot 40 also secures the rod 36 to an end of an arm 34 which in turn carries the screws 29, 30, and oppositely directed trunnions or pivot pins 34a which ride in the slots 27' of the hinge element 26' (FIG. 11.). Due to this construction of the hinge 1b the sash 2 and- /or 3 can open relative to the frame 3' and/or 2' by more than 90 as in keeping with the earlier embodiments of this invention.

While preferred forms and arrangements of parts have been shown in illustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in detail and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

We claim:

1. A hinge comprising a pair of hinge elements, a pair of connecting rods having first and second opposite ends, first pivot means connecting first ends of said rods to a first of said hinge elements, an arm having first and second ends, second pivot means connecting second ends of said rods to said first arm end, third pivot means connecting said second arm end to said second hinge element, means mounting said second hinge element and arm for relative sliding movement in a direction generally normal to the axis of said third pivot means, and means for selectively adjusting the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element.

2. The hinge as defined in claim 1 including means for locking the angular relationshipbetween said arm and said second hinge element.

3. The hinge as defined in claim 1 including means for locking the position of relative sliding movement of said arm relative to said second hinge element.

4. The hinge as defined in claim 1 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element as well as for locking the position of relative sliding movement of said arm to said second hinge element.

5. The hinge as defined in claim 1 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element as well as for locking the position of relative sliding movement of said arm relative to said second hinge element, and said locking means is a single screw for locking both the angular relationship and sliding position of said arm and binge element.

6. The hinge as defined in claim 2 wherein said locking means is disposed between said third pivot means and said adjusting means.

7. The hinge as defined in claim 3 wherein said locking means is disposed between said third pivot means and said adjusting means.

8. The hinge as defined in claim 1 wherein said second hinge element includes a housing, a pair of spaced parallel sidewalls in partdefining said housing, and said sliding movement mounting means include longitudinally extending grooves in said sidewalls receiving pivot pins of said second arm-end.

9. The hinge as defined in claim 1 wherein said second hinge element includes a base plate and a housing portion, said housing portion includes a pair of spaced parallel sidewalls in part defining said=housing, and said sliding movement mounting means include longitudinally extending grooves in said sidewalls receiving pivot pins of said second arm end.

10. The hinge as defined in claim 1 wherein said second hinge element andarm each include channel sections having open sides in opposed relationship to each other, said second hinge element channel section including a pair of parallel sidewalls and said sliding movement mounting means include longitudinally extending grooves in exterior surfaces of said sidewalls receiving pivot-pins of said arm channel section.

11. The hinge as defined in claim 1 wherein said second hinge element and arm each include channel sections having open sides in opposed relationship to each other, said second hinge element channel section including a pair of parallel sidewalls, said second hinge element channel section is of an inverted T-shaped cross-sectional configuration, means for locking said channel sections relative to each other, and said locking means includes an enlarged head of a bolt received within the larger portion of said T-shaped cross-section and a threaded stem received in a threaded bore of said arm channel section.

12. The hinge as defined in claim 1 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element as well as for locking the position of relative sliding movement of said arm relative to said second hinge element, said locking means is a screw, and said screw is positioned between said third pivot means and said angular adjusting means.

13. The hinge as defined in claim 12 wherein said second hinge element includes a housing, a pair of spaced parallel sidewalls in part defining said housing, and said sliding movement mounting means include longitudinally extending grooves in said sidewalls and pivot pins on said second arm end.

14..The hinge as defined in claim 13 wherein said second hinge element and arm each including channel sections having open sides in opposed relationship to each other, said second hinge element channel section including said pair of parallel sidewalls and said sliding movement mounting means include said longitudinally extending grooves in exterior surfaces of said sidewalls receiving said pivot pins of said arm channel section.

15. A hinge comprising a pair of hinge elements, a pair of connecting rods having first and second opposite ends, first pivot means connecting first ends of said rods to a first ofsaid hinge elements, an arm having first and second ends, second pivot means connecting a second end of a first of sabd rods to a first end of said arm, third pivot means connecting a second end of said arm to a second of said hinge elements, fourth pivot means connecting said first rod to a second of said rods intermediate the ends thereof, means mounting said second rod and arm for relative sliding movement, means mounting said arm and second hinge element for relative sliding movement in a direction generally normal to the axis of said third pivot means, and means for selectively adjusting the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element.

16. The hinge as defined in claim -wherein said first rod includes a pair of relatively pivotally connected first rod portions.

17. The hinge as defined in claim 15 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element.

for locking the angular relationship between said arm' and said second hinge element as well as for locking the position of relative sliding movement of said arm relative to said second hinge element, and said locking means is a single screw for locking both the angular relationship and sliding position of said arm and hinge element. 

1. A hinge comprising a pair of hinge elements, a pair of connecting rods having first and second opposite ends, first pivot means connecting first ends of said rods to a first of said hinge elements, an arm having first and second ends, second pivot means connecting second ends of said rods to said first arm end, third pivot means connecting said second arm end to said second hinge element, means mounting said second hinge element and arm for relative sliding movement in a direction generally normal to the axis of said third pivot means, and means for selectively adjusting the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element.
 2. The hinge as defined in claim 1 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element.
 3. The hinge as defined in claim 1 including means for locking the position of relative sliding movement of said arm relative to said second hinge element.
 4. The hinge as defined in claim 1 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element as well as for locking the position of relative sliding movement of said arm to said second hinge element.
 5. The hinge as defined in claim 1 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element as well as for locking the position of relative sliding movement of said arm relative to said second hinge element, and said locking means is a single screw for locking both the angular relationship and sliding position of said arm and hinge element.
 6. The hinge as defined in claim 2 wherein said locking means is disposed between said third pivot means and said adjusting means.
 7. The hinge as defined in claim 3 wherein said locking means is disposed between said third pivot means and said adjusting means.
 8. The hinge as defined in claim 1 wherein said second hinge element includes a housing, a pair of spaced parallel sidewalls in part defining said housing, and said sliding movement mounting means include longitudinally extending grooves in said sidewalls receiving pivot pins of said second arm end.
 9. The hinge as defineD in claim 1 wherein said second hinge element includes a base plate and a housing portion, said housing portion includes a pair of spaced parallel sidewalls in part defining said housing, and said sliding movement mounting means include longitudinally extending grooves in said sidewalls receiving pivot pins of said second arm end.
 10. The hinge as defined in claim 1 wherein said second hinge element and arm each include channel sections having open sides in opposed relationship to each other, said second hinge element channel section including a pair of parallel sidewalls and said sliding movement mounting means include longitudinally extending grooves in exterior surfaces of said sidewalls receiving pivot pins of said arm channel section.
 11. The hinge as defined in claim 1 wherein said second hinge element and arm each include channel sections having open sides in opposed relationship to each other, said second hinge element channel section including a pair of parallel sidewalls, said second hinge element channel section is of an inverted T-shaped cross-sectional configuration, means for locking said channel sections relative to each other, and said locking means includes an enlarged head of a bolt received within the larger portion of said T-shaped cross-section and a threaded stem received in a threaded bore of said arm channel section.
 12. The hinge as defined in claim 1 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element as well as for locking the position of relative sliding movement of said arm relative to said second hinge element, said locking means is a screw, and said screw is positioned between said third pivot means and said angular adjusting means.
 13. The hinge as defined in claim 12 wherein said second hinge element includes a housing, a pair of spaced parallel sidewalls in part defining said housing, and said sliding movement mounting means include longitudinally extending grooves in said sidewalls and pivot pins on said second arm end.
 14. The hinge as defined in claim 13 wherein said second hinge element and arm each including channel sections having open sides in opposed relationship to each other, said second hinge element channel section including said pair of parallel sidewalls and said sliding movement mounting means include said longitudinally extending grooves in exterior surfaces of said sidewalls receiving said pivot pins of said arm channel section.
 15. A hinge comprising a pair of hinge elements, a pair of connecting rods having first and second opposite ends, first pivot means connecting first ends of said rods to a first of said hinge elements, an arm having first and second ends, second pivot means connecting a second end of a first of sabd rods to a first end of said arm, third pivot means connecting a second end of said arm to a second of said hinge elements, fourth pivot means connecting said first rod to a second of said rods intermediate the ends thereof, means mounting said second rod and arm for relative sliding movement, means mounting said arm and second hinge element for relative sliding movement in a direction generally normal to the axis of said third pivot means, and means for selectively adjusting the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element.
 16. The hinge as defined in claim 15 wherein said first rod includes a pair of relatively pivotally connected first rod portions.
 17. The hinge as defined in claim 15 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element.
 18. The hinge as defined in claim 15 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element as well as for locking the position of relative sliding movement of said arm to said second hinge element.
 19. The hinge as defined in claim 15 including means for locking the angular relationship between said arm and said second hinge element as well as for locking the position of relative Sliding movement of said arm relative to said second hinge element, and said locking means is a single screw for locking both the angular relationship and sliding position of said arm and hinge element. 